The Japanese government will abolish its uniform guidance requiring companies to limit overtime work to 45 hours per month, starting next month. This decision comes as discussions on labor time regulation flexibility have intensified since the appointment of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
The move reflects demands from the business sector for more flexible labor hours within the legal framework, but it has raised concerns about potentially encouraging long working hours. In Japan, debates continue over exemptions to the 52-hour workweek in advanced industries like semiconductors, making this decision particularly noteworthy.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on August 20, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will change the guidance method of the Labor Standards Inspection Office regarding overtime work starting next month.
Under Japanese labor law, standard working hours are defined as eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. To work beyond these limits, employers and employees must enter into a so-called '36 Agreement,' which generally allows for up to 45 hours of overtime per month and 360 hours per year. However, with special provisions, companies can exceed the 45-hour limit, with a cap of less than 100 hours per month and 720 hours per year, including holiday work.
Until now, the Labor Standards Inspection Office has uniformly guided companies with special provisions to limit overtime to 45 hours per month. The upcoming change will eliminate this '45-hour uniform guidance,' but it will not raise the legal cap on overtime itself.
Going forward, companies with special provisions will not be uniformly directed to reduce overtime beyond 45 hours per month, as long as they remain within legal limits. Instead, the focus will shift to ensuring that health protection measures, such as medical consultations for workers, are properly implemented. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated that this measure is “not intended to encourage excessive labor” and will continue to monitor illegal long working hours.
Japanese business leaders have argued that the uniform guidance from the Labor Standards Inspection Office discourages corporate activities, even for companies with special provisions. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party proposed a change in guidance methods to the government in April, and the Japan Growth Strategy Council, chaired by Takaichi, presented similar recommendations in July. This proposal was subsequently included in the Cabinet-approved 'Japan Growth Strategy.'
Labor unions have expressed concerns that this measure could promote long working hours. They argue that the removal of guidance to limit working hours to 45 hours per month may weaken companies' efforts to reduce labor hours.
Japan's ongoing 'work style reform' has focused on improving long working hour practices. In contrast, Takaichi is pushing for a direction that allows for more flexible labor hours while maintaining the legal cap. Ryo Sasaki, a lawyer familiar with labor issues, pointed out in the Asahi Shimbun that “this measure clearly contradicts the direction of the government's 'work style reform.'”
Takaichi's comments on long working hours have also fueled the controversy. On July 20, she stated on social media platform X that since taking office, she has been accustomed to sleeping only 0 to 3 hours, reading materials late into the night and handling thousands of emails during holidays. Critics argue that her emphasis on reducing sleep to work creates a positive atmosphere for long working hours. In a written response on August 14, she denied any such intention, asserting that “securing sleep time and family time is important for productive work.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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